Wenger: Self belief slowly returning

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes his side’s confidence is slowly returning after their 8-2 thrashing at the hands of Manchester United.

The Gunners won their first Premier League match last week – a 1-0 victory over Swansea – and earned a useful point in Germany after they drew 1-1 with Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

And with a trip to Blackburn ahead in the Premier League on Saturday, Wenger said their self-belief was slowly returning.

“You lose your confidence quickly with the result at Old Trafford, but you gain it back slowly from game to game,” Wenger said.

“We work hard for each other and get back. Then the other side of our game will come out.”

“It is essential we start to win games again. We know at the end of the season we will be judged on our consistency.”

“We have the desire, we have the spirit, the quality. It’s now just done to put the effort in every week in every game. I’m confident we can do that.”

Arsenal’s away form has been shaky this season, battling to a 0-0 draw at Newcastle before the disaster in Manchester, but Wenger said this season’s results had been an aberration.

“You have to consider that last year we were the best away team in the league,” he said.

“That result at Old Trafford was a one off result. You cannot take that as a general rule.”

“What we have achieved over the last few years away from home: that’s our regular performance.”

“People forget how much effort we put in at Udinese and how many players we lost as well before that game at Old Trafford.”